The Army has changed its policy on the wear of combat patches as a result of the way Soldiers and their units now deploy. The new guidance states that when echelons below company level deploy, Soldiers in those units may now wear the combat patch of the lowest-echelon command they deploy with, as long as it is at company level or higher. The new implementing instructions to Army Regulation 670-1 became effective March 28 and are not retroactive. As before, Soldiers who have earned multiple combat patches may choose which patch to wear. Soldiers may also elect not to wear a combat patch.